Last updated on May 27th, 2024 at 11:01 am
With its Southern charm and rich cultural heritage, Raleigh has been named the best place to live in North Carolina and the best big city in the Southeast by Money Magazine in 2016. Raleigh real estate also offers great value with homes that are priced fairly for the city’s quality of life and economy. It comes as no surprise that Raleigh’s population continues to increase with more people moving to the city, and it’s predicted to remain the fastest-growing metro area through 2025.
This list features the best custom home builders serving Raleigh and its surrounding cities. Our team chose and ranked these contractors based on the awards and recognition they have received, their number of years in business, their notable projects, the overall quality of projects, and the quality of their customer reviews. These builders have repeatedly demonstrated their expertise in custom home building as well as green building and have built some of the city’s most remarkable homes.
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work. On the other hand, if you want to learn more about the cost of building a custom home in Raleigh, check out our cost guide article.
Leland Builders, Inc.
50010 Governors Dr. Suite #195, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
For almost a decade, Leland Builders has provided quality design-build services throughout the Triangle area. The firm’s mission is to deliver spaces that are functional, efficient, and seamless. Founded by Lee Williams, Leland Builders is a proud member of the Wake County Home Builders Association, the Remodeler’s Council of Wake County, and the Better Business Bureau.
In addition to its custom home building services, the firm also provides additions and renovations, receiving numerous STAR and Anthemion Awards for its home renovation and historic renovation projects. The firm’s goal is to deliver projects that will not just look beautiful but will also “feel right” to the client. Williams sees to it that every project will be given the attention it deserves, which is why clients are assured that they will work directly with him from the beginning of the project to its completion.
Grayson Homes
5711 Six Forks Rd. Suite #103, Raleigh, NC 27609
Raleigh-based Grayson Homes was founded on the principle of building quality custom homes in responsible ways. Founders Mike and Donna Poupard started the company in 2002. Since then, the firm has built more than one hundred custom homes and has built long-standing relationships with its clients. The firm also offers Energy Star-certified homes which have met the strict requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
One of the firm’s outstanding projects is this custom home in North Raleigh. The stunning modern home features beautiful light-colored hardwood flooring throughout the home, a sliding barn door, a massive eat-in kitchen island, high ceilings, and an open concept floor plan. The home also consists of a stainless steel farmhouse sink in the kitchen, a luxurious master bathroom, a spacious walk-in closet, and electric fireplaces in the living room and backyard.
Richard Gaylord Homes
2424 Glenwood Ave. #106, Raleigh NC 27608
Established in 1980, Richard Gaylord Homes has completed numerous projects in the Triangle area. This family-owned business specializes in building luxury homes in Raleigh and Wake County’s prestigious communities. In its many years in business, Richard Gaylord has strived to provide clients with timely service and exceptional craftsmanship. Each Richard Gaylord home is custom designed and built according to its client’s lifestyle, and the firm’s collaborative process ensures clients have a tailor-fit solution to their project’s challenges. Richard Gaylord is a member of various organizations such as the Home Builders Association, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the North Carolina Home Builders Association.
Richard Gaylord, the founder of the firm, is an NAHB Certified Green Professional. He has also served as a former NAHB National Director and a former National Cooperative Business Association State Director. Gaylord is also a founding member of the Triangle Builders Guild and he is a former Triangle Builders Guild chairman.
Grayson Dare Custom Homes
3708 Lyckan Pkwy. Suite #206 Durham, NC 27707
David Vines has almost two decades of experience in the construction industry on both the national and the regional level. This experience has led him to rethink the way clients experience home building. He established Grayson Dare Custom Homes based on the principle of delivering clients their dream homes at any price point. The firm provides clients throughout Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Raleigh, and the surrounding Triangle area with topnotch design-build services. Since its founding, the company’s goal has been to craft custom homes in established neighborhoods and up to this day, this goal has remained the same.
One of the firm’s impressive projects is a modern farmhouse in Durham. Completed in 2016, the home featured a fresh white exterior with board and batten siding and an elegant interior consisting of timeless design elements such as stunning hardwood flooring, a huge kitchen with white cabinets, vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, a rustic sliding barn door, and a spacious en suite bathroom.
Caudill Design Group
1404 Medfield Road, Raleigh, NC 27607
Caudill Design Group is a locally and family-owned business that specializes in the design and construction of new homes, additions, and remodels. Founded in 2008, the Caudill team has delivered numerous design-build projects throughout Raleigh. The firm is managed by Rusty Caudill and Brian Caudill, and both have years of experience in the custom home building industry. This experience provides the firm with the knowledge and skill to deliver well-crafted homes. In addition to its design-build services, the firm offers house plans, addition plans, and remodeling plans as well.
In 2013, Caudill designed and built a custom home for its interior selection consultant and her husband. The craftsman home features a beautiful brick exterior on one wall and lap siding throughout. For the home’s interior, dark hardwood flooring was used throughout, giving the home a sleek and timeless feel. The bathroom features his and her sinks as well as a huge soak-in tub and an enclosed shower space.
Sage Built
5711 Six Forks Rd. Suite #200, Raleigh, NC 27609
With over 100 years of combined experience in luxury custom home building, the Sage Built team has built a reputation for providing beautiful custom homes in central North Carolina. The team’s knowledge of luxury design and architecture has brought it several accolades from industry organizations and good reviews from satisfied clients. From Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and Chapel Hill to Durham, Pittsboro, and the Pinehurst areas, Sage Built has delivered numerous stunning homes. As a Green Certified builder, Sage also specializes in energy-efficient homes which reduce ecological footprints. Sage also offers signature floor plans for clients to choose from.
The company is also a member of NAHB, the Home Builders Association, and the North Carolina Home Builders Association. Among the firm’s notable projects is a farmhouse custom home featuring a cozy exterior with board and batten siding, shingles, stone accents, and king post truss details. Typically, Sage Built’s projects range from $700,000 to $2 million.
Allure Homes
3948 Browning Place Suite #200, Raleigh, NC 27609
In business since 2005, Allure Homes has provided clients throughout the Triangle with premier custom home building and remodeling services. The firm has been known to deliver unique homes that exude the subtle charm and distinct architecture found in the area’s well-located and established neighborhoods. Allure has a dedicated team of architectural engineers, design experts, and general contractors that help clients throughout the whole building and restoration process. This meticulous attention to detail and excellent craftsmanship make each Allure home standout. A member of the NAHB, the Home Builders Association, and the North Carolina Home Builders Association, the firm offers additions, green building, and historic home preservation services as well.
One of the firm’s notable projects is a modern farmhouse, featuring a dark gray exterior with a mix of board and batten siding and lap siding, as well as brown wood siding for the main entrance. The home also features angled roofs which adds to the property’s sophisticated curb appeal.
Taylor Custom Homes
3221 Corsham Dr., Apex, NC 27539
Founded in 2003, Taylor Custom Homes has provided quality custom home building services to clients in and around Raleigh, Wake Forest, Cary, Apex, Durham, Pittsboro, and the Triangle. Brian Smith, the founder of the firm, has many years of experience in the residential construction industry and has co-owned and operated The Renovators – Fine Remodeling, Inc. with his father. He also served as a lead superintendent and general contractor for the UpRight Builders. His deep construction experience has been one of the hallmarks of the company and has earned the firm multiple awards in the North Carolina Parade of Homes in Orange and Wake County. In addition to custom homes, the firm is also highly experienced in partial and whole house remodels, garage or apartment additions and complete kitchen and bathroom remodels.
One of the firm’s impressive projects is a custom home in Olde Mill Forest Drive. The 6,260-square-foot property is built on a 0.92-acre lot and features three and a half bathrooms. It also features a beautiful multicolored brick exterior and stone siding.
Loyd Builders
2501 Reliance Ave., Apex, NC 27539
Multi-awarded Loyd Builders is a second-generation builder based in Apex. The firm specializes in custom home construction, addition, and remodeling services in the Triangle area. Company owner Tripp Loyd has earned a Civil Engineering degree from North Carolina State University and has more than two decades of construction industry experience. Since 2000, Loyd Builders has impressed numerous clients with its quality design-build services and has amassed various accolades including numerous Parade of Homes Gold Winner Awards, Builder of the Year Awards, and Major Achievements in Merchandising Excellence Awards for Best of the Best, Best Custom Home Design, and Best Outdoor Living Space categories.
Among these award-winning projects is the home in Winding View Lane which received the 2016 Gold Award. The 6,423-square-foot home features five bedrooms, six-and-a-half bathrooms, an open concept kitchen and family room, and a walk-out basement. The gorgeous brick home also has a first-floor owner’s retreat with a spacious walk-in closet and spa-like bath.
Paul Schumacher Homes
182 W Hamlin Blvd., Benson, NC 27504
As the nation’s largest custom home builder, Paul Schumacher Homes has established itself as one of the leading luxury home builders throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Louisiana, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Tennessee. Since its founding, the family-owned company has built around 18,000 homes and has 53 award-winning model homes that clients can choose from. The firm prides itself on its affordable, innovative, and fully-customized homes that have earned them a multitude of prestigious awards and recognition including the National Housing Quality Award, the National Gold Winning Home of the Year, the Best in American Living Award, and the Number One Design Studio in America Award among many others. In its many years in business, Paul Schumacher Homes has perfected a one-of-a-kind process to provide clients the home they’ve dreamed of.
The Paul Schumacher team also specializes in a variety of home styles such as the traditional home-style, the coastal, the French Country, the modern farmhouse, and the craftsman. Each home is backed by a ten-year structural warranty by one of the country’s largest construction insurance companies. Schumacher homes are also built with energy-efficient features for lower utility bills.
Satterwhite Construction, Inc.
5933 Farm Well Rd., Raleigh, NC 27610
Satterwhite Construction is a full-service residential custom home builder serving the Triangle area. Offering custom home construction, architectural design, interior design, project management, and land development services, the firm specializes in energy-efficient homes that are functional and beautiful. Each Satterwhite home is built to meet or exceed Energy Star 3.0 standards, featuring the latest green design and construction practices. Currently, Satterwhite builds in the counties of Wake, Durham, Orange, Franklin, and Granville.
In 2018, Satterwhite Construction won the Silver Award in the Parade of Homes $689,000 to $725,000 category. The home features an open-concept layout, a four-car garage, a gourmet kitchen with an eleven-foot island, a first-floor master suite, a master bathroom spa with freestanding tub, and custom built-ins and barn wood accents. This home is also Energy Star 3.0-certified.
Stuart M. Jones Custom Homes, Inc.
4200 White Pine Dr., Raleigh, NC 27612
Building it right the first time has been one of the missions of Stuart M. Jones Custom Homes since its establishment in 1982. Over the years, the firm has provided Raleigh clients with expert custom home building and remodeling services. Aside from being the company’s leader, Stuart M. Jones has also served as a past president of the local Home Builders Association and continues to serve on the NAHB Board of Directors. The firm prioritizes quality which is why only a limited number of projects per year are handled by the company. This special attention to detail has brought the firm numerous awards, including the Presidential Award for Design from the National Builders Advisory Board.
Completed in 2013, Stuart’s craftsman style home featured an open-concept floor plan, all-white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a master bathroom with glass block shower accents, two shower heads, and LEED lighting on the cabinet toe kicks, as well as a three-car garage. For the home’s exterior, lap siding, shakes, and roof brackets were used.
Rufty Homes
5121 Kingdom Way Suite 208, Raleigh, NC 27607
For more than 30 years, clients have trusted Rufty Homes to deliver luxury custom homes whose timeless elegance is evident right away. Jon Rufty, the founder of the firm, is a forefather of green building in North Carolina. He built the nationally-recognized HealthyHouse™ in 1994 for the American Lung Association and the National Association of Home Builders Research Center which is now the Home Innovation Research Labs. He is also the one behind the very first Energy Star structure in the state and in 2002, Rufty completed the first Fortified For Safer Living home in North Carolina. In addition to these achievements, he is a member of the NAHB Builder 20 Club. The firm takes pride in its reputation for producing high-quality custom homes. As an advocate for green building, Rufty Homes specializes in green home building and employs innovative technologies for healthy living, energy savings, and sustainability.
One of the firm’s lauded projects is the Chancellor’s Residence at North Carolina State University which received the AIA North Carolina Residential Design Award in 2013. Also known as The Point, the LEED-certified custom home was designed to reflect traditional North Carolina building practices in a contemporary manner. From its brick exterior to the wood used throughout the home, all materials came from the North Carolina State forest property. The home won the 2012 Best in American Living Awards Room of the Year awarded by the NAHB. This project also received the platinum award for Kitchen Design in 2012 Best in American Living Awards.
Bost Custom Homes
1941 Evans Rd., Cary, NC 27513
Bost Custom Homes has been constructing high-efficiency homes for the past three decades. Rex Bost, the founder of the firm, is a previous owner of an artisan stone masonry company prior to the firm’s establishment. In 1986, he established Bost Custom Homes and by the dawn of 2000, the firm had already made its mark as one of the area’s top luxury design-build firms. With a focus on green building services, the company uses recycled and local building materials, rainwater harvesting systems, advanced water and air filters, geothermal and solar panels, and environmentally-sustainable building resources. These green building techniques, incorporated into the home’s design, result in the most beautiful, carefully-crafted, efficient, and resilient homes in the Triangle.
Among the award-winning firm’s notable projects is a Mediterranean home in Raleigh featuring four bedrooms and smart home technology which provides the home with lighting control and heated floors. The luxurious $2.9-million home also features a heated, in-ground pool and hot tub.
Bold Construction
50211 Governors Dr., Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Chapel Hill-based Bold Construction specializes in custom home construction in the greater Triangle area. The company prides itself not only on the high-quality homes that it builds but also on the promise of delivering an exceptional building experience.
Co-owners, Chris Ehrenfeld and Jason Dell, are actively involved in the local community. They take tremendous pride in the reputation and proven track record of success for their company. This success has led to numerous recent construction awards including the Best Builder award by Chapel Hill Magazine and being ranked among Triangle Business Journal’s Top Custom Builders and several top ten lists of builders in North Carolina. The business’ success has also been recognized as Bold was recently named Business of the Year by the Chapel Hill Chamber and was named as one of the Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the nation by Inc. 5000 for the 3rd year in a row.
In 2018, Bold completed this modern home in downtown Chapel Hill. The home features very clean, sharp lines, with massive cantilevers, large expanses of glass to enjoy the incredible treetop views, and an elevated pool.
How can I find a home builder near me?
Read our latest articles on the best custom home builders near Raleigh. If you don’t see your city below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.
Custom Home Builders in Durham
Custom Home Builders in North Carolina
About Our Rankings
This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration.
Get Bids For Your Build
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
